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May 26, 2009

G46: Twins 5, Red Sox 2

Lester (6-6-5-3-4, 100) faltered in the fifth inning, with Justin Morneau's three-run line drive home run to right being the big blow. Lester's ERA rose to 6.07.

Jacoby Ellsbury scored both Red Sox runs. He also singled to begin the game, and extend his hit streak to 21 games. He stole two bases and made a tremendous diving catch in deep right-center in the fifth inning, before the Twins did their damage. He scored on Dustin Pedroia's double in the fifth and on an infield error in the seventh.

David Ortiz doubled to right center in his first time up and walked in the fourth. He finished his night with a strikeout and pop out to left.

Lester and Blackburn hooked up back on July 8, 2008; Boston won the game 6-5. It was the last appearance each pitcher had against the opposing team.

Jacoby Ellsbury's hitting streak has reached 20 games, but he's not having a good year at the plate. His slash stats since the streak began on May 2: .330/.365/.418 for a .782 OPS -- which is below what Nick Green has done this season (.794). LBJ has collected only one hit in nine of his last 11 games: .275/.310/.350.

Ellsbury has drawn five walks during the streak (96 PA). He has walked only 10 times all year, in 201 PA. In five fewer trips to the plate, Jason Bay has walked 24 more times (34 in 196).

Ellsbury's season stats are .300/.333/.374 for a paltry 79 OPS+. (For reference: Jeff Bailey is at 86 and Julio Lugo is at 73.) Lyndon has led off in all but three of Boston's 45 games and the Red Sox are 9th in the AL in leadoff batter OBP.

Finally, in his 12 stolen base attempts during the streak, he has been caught four times.

Supposedly the trainer had to pop Melky's shoulder back into place and then he left the game, and Joba's fastball is only like 91 and he didn't throw it at all in like a 6 pitch at bat to the guy who knocked in the runs.

Clean Water Sux, regardless of what the EPA says. :(Actually, no LL tonight. Last night, on the other hand, we kicked ass for a change. Won 17 - 3 in 5 innings (mercy rule)Tonight I met my son and his fiance for dinner, and her parents. They (my son and the fiance) are leaving early in the morning for California. He'll be working out there until sometime in October. They wanted us to meet each other before they left. I believe that may be because they may be married when they return.